Embattled Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police, Gilbert Masengeli, has issued an apology to the High Court after being found in contempt for his involvement in a case concerning the disappearance of Njagi and the Longton brothers.
At the time of the incident, Masengeli was acting Police Inspector General and was sentenced to six months in prison. However, the sentence was suspended for seven days, allowing him to address the contempt charge.
In an affidavit submitted on September 20, 2024, Masengeli acknowledged missing court hearings due to operational challenges, including his involvement in critical security operations in Northern Kenya and the Coast region.
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He regretted his absence, affirmed the court’s authority, and pledged to provide a detailed progress report on the ongoing investigations.
"I humbly apologize to this Honourable Court for violating orders and assure my compliance in the future. My absence was not intentional but rather due to operational challenges," Masengeli stated in his affidavit.
The case, which has drawn significant public attention, was initiated by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) after activist Bob Njagi and siblings Jamil Longton and Aslam Longton were allegedly abducted by individuals suspected to be police officers in Kitengela on August 19, 2024.
The LSK secured interim habeas corpus orders on August 23, compelling Masengeli to produce the missing individuals, but he failed to comply, leading to his contempt conviction on September 9, 2024.
Despite Masengeli’s assertion that investigations were ongoing, the court criticized his non-attendance, especially with available virtual court options.
Just hours before Masengeli was set to appear in court to attempt to overturn his jail sentence, Njagi and the Longton brothers were found alive, having been abandoned in Kiambu County.
The High Court will review Masengeli’s submission in the coming days.
